Port Jackson fig 3

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Rory
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Port Jackson fig 3

Post by Rory »

Progression thread : Port Jackson fig 3

This Port Jackson fig was purchased from Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery for $35 (it was a lot thinner when purchased I think in 2015 but it had a nice root spread so I happily paid for this)

Port Jacksons prefer full sun, and fast drainage. Don't let the roots sit in a damp medium for extended periods of time. The roots will eventually rot if the mix isn't well draining. Only rewater figs when the soil has gone dry. You can comfortably allow the soil to get quite dry before you re-water. Its only if the soil is constantly wet that you usually encounter problems. They shouldn't be left out in temps of below 0 degrees.
As a rough guide.....DO NOT cut back branches at the end of Summer or at the start of Autumn. (If you haven't cut back in early Summer, wait till the next year). The reason is that the new shoots will take about 3 weeks to emerge, and then they need to develop and harden off before the colder months set in. Sometimes the tree doesn't bother, and you'll end up with die-back or the new shoots just die off. Then you're at the bonsai gods' will to determine how far the branch dies back.

This was allowed to really grow long and thicken the trunk, before it was heavily trunk chopped to start developing the branches.

If there is one thing I strongly feel is really horrifying... its when people grow sacrifice branches at the base of figs, and then cut them off when the base has thickened to their liking. A lot of figs have long and strong branches starting at their bases and gradually arching down as they spray out. Often I hook the young branches more upwards to encourage more of an upwards growth if they come out too low.
This is the main thing that I hate about most styled figs... is that they are shaped like deciduous trees in layered branching upwards. Most figs don't grow like that though, and to me its quite unattractive. I prefer to see the lazy upside down squid fig, like I am trying to develop.
If you've ever grown PJ or MB figs, you'll eventually realize that they don't tend to put out a lot of shoots from the base as they age, so to me these are absolute gold when they appear, and they're given the royal treatment to ensure they survive.

I also detest the outward branching formation that a lot of enthusiasts seem to produce. I prefer more of an upwards growth habit and then out and gradually growing outwards, than the more commonly developed approach. I just find that the figs I always see in nature have a much longer and straighter branch development than the really really ramified figs you often see in bonsai development. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I just find if you take an up close look at the initial branching, you'll notice 2 commonly distinct formations:
-Usually there isn't a defined trunk, but multi trunks.
-The branching initially shoots out long and then gradually ramifies.

This is probably the easiest species for beginners.
I find Port Jacksons are better for making small bonsai than Moreton bay figs, mainly because the leaves reduce much easier than with Moretons.
From my experience, Port Jackson also are better at tolerating shade, and branches that are heavily shaded don't die off like with Moretons.
Port J Fig 3-01 22Jun2018.jpg
22Jun2018


Port J Fig 3-02 28Feb2019.jpg
28Feb2019


Port J Fig 3-03 23Nov2020.jpg
23Nov2020


Port J Fig 3-04 05Mar2021.jpg
05Mar2021
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Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
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Rory
Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Posts: 2807
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Re: Port Jackson fig 3

Post by Rory »

Port J Fig 3-05 10Jan2022.jpg
10 Jan 2022
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Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
User avatar
Rory
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2807
Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
Bonsai Age: 24
Location: Central Coast, NSW
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Re: Port Jackson fig 3

Post by Rory »

I haven't repotted this yet, but will soon. Just continuing to grow and cut back. There is no magical want to developing a good Ficus bonsai. You just need plenty of time, and annual cut backs.

I realize its not quite yet 01.01.2023, but its easier to post that its 2023, so looking back people can easily distinguish that its a year apart. Its only 1 day before the actual date.
Port J Fig 3-06 01Jan2023.jpg
01Jan2023
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Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
User avatar
Rory
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2807
Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
Bonsai Age: 24
Location: Central Coast, NSW
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 456 times

Re: Port Jackson fig 3

Post by Rory »

This has been root pruned, and placed into a Pat Kennedy bonsai pot (Australia).
I may reduce this further in size and place into a smaller Pat Kennedy pot in time that is more shallow.

It will be heavily cut back further in about January. But for the moment, I'm allowing it to regain its health after the repot.
Port J Fig 3-07 17Nov2023.jpg
17Nov2023
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Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
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